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The Boy in the Bands is a record of the passing thoughts of Scott Wells: keeping an eye on the Unitarian Universalist Association, suggesting church administration hacks, and adding his bit for sustainable living in Washington, D.C. (I'm proud of my employer and colleagues, but the opinions here are mine.)

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Today is Holy Cross Day

Today, September 14, is Holy Cross Day though some churches put it at other times. It marks the re-discovery of the True Cross by Helena, Constantine’s mother. It is a capital-B Big Deal in some churches. Its reach in Protestantism, however, has been limited. The observance is about the cross itself and (unlike Good Friday) not particularly the crucifixion.

I’m engaged for two reasons. First, it is churchly. The church’s searching and wandering is the motive and the cross is the reward. To my mind, it makes it more flexible to the churches’ need today, and is not simply historical. And second, what of this cross? Removed from Good Friday, we can focus on it and additional and imaginative meanings to be found therein. (Indeed, I do focus on it on Holy Saturday in the reading of the Dream of the Rood, but that’s my eccentricity.)

It’s worth at least one day a year to consider how something can be made for an evil purpose only be redeemed and exalted. Look, see and discover! An evil intent is not the end, but rather the grace of God which reverses fortunes and amazes the despairing.

And we could use more of that. Not simply for crosses, but human beings who have come to believe their selves or work are worthless.